That is the only way I can ever vote for McCain. But I don’t think Fred will take a VP slot. He loses a lot of income by staying in politics. Unless he can effect the policy more than the average VP, I don’t seem him doing it.
Concerning Thompson as VP. The deal would have to include, for Fred’s sake, total access, a veto on some major issues, judge agreements (the most important: keep nominating SC conservatives even after the Senate rejects one or two), and other Cheney-like power sharing agreements.